(If we want radical change, we need to be united. Kung nais natin na magkaisa ang ating bayan ay kailangan natin ng radikal na pagbabago.” “ Kung nais natin ng radikal na pagbabago, kailangan natin magkaisa. He closed his speech by emphasizing the importance of national unity. (I don't know if the general heard himself when he said 'We need to fight all the time and not have dialogue.) As Arcilla the actor, he shared, “ Hindi ko alam kung narinig ng heneral ang kanyang sarili nung sinabi niyang, ‘Kailangan ba tayong mag-away-away lagi at hindi magdayalogo.’” (READ: John Arcilla on bringing 'Heneral Luna' to life) The monologue bemoaned criticisms of Luna’s actions, lamented the state of the nation, and scolded its fragmented people. As Antonio Luna, he was angry, frustrated, and fed up. As Arcilla the actor, he was mellow, and pensive. Throughout the speech, he oscillated between personas. Wearing his Heneral Luna costume, Arcilla launched into a supposition of Luna’s dying words. John Arcilla also spoke about Heneral Luna's successat the movie's thanksgiving party. “ Hindi ko inaasahan na yung mga simple at ginawa ko’ng mga salita ay magiging suddenly hugot line (I didn't expect that the simple things that I did and the words that I said would suddenly evoke deep emotions in people).”Īs he shared the quotes that appeared in memes and conversations, he mused, “ Ano kaya ang sinasabi ng heneral habang binabaril siya (What would the general say while he was being shot at)?” He admitted that he was surprised at how often people quoted lines from the movie. I posted on my wall, ‘Dracula and Frankie, eat your heart out. “I saw pictures of kids going trick-or-treating dressed up as Heneral Luna.
Something special is happening.”Īrcilla shared his joy upon seeing children dress up as characters from the movie at Halloween. Mothers came up to him and said, “When your 13-year-old kid comes home, raving about a Filipino film, something is going on. And I was just complaining about what’s happening to our country. Minahal po namin ulit ang bayan (We loved the country again).” Some said, “What have I really contributed to this country? Ang tagal na palang nangyayari noon, isang daang taon na (It happened so long ago, it's been 100 years). Young people told him, “Sir John, thank you so much. In his talk, Arcilla related the responses of people who had seen the film. Inevitably the requisite Spanish curse words and memorable quotes from the film were uttered, but so too were many thoughts on various national issues.